President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Convenor and Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz during the 6-day working visit to the United States. Image from PSAC
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s trip to the United States was a ‘resounding success’ according to private sector leaders who joined the delegation to New York, confident that the Chief Executive was able to bring home key investments that would help reinvigorate the economy.
In a statement on Monday, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) said that Marcos was able to secure the commitments not only of the US businesses but also that of its government.
PSAC lead convenor and Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, and other business leaders who were part of the delegation, lauded Marcos as a “true statesman” who was able to fulfill his to seek investments overseas, and who provided leadership in linking up with several businesses in the US.
“This trip was a resounding success. We have a true statesman in President Marcos. He represented our country with pride, diplomacy, professionalism, and an honest intention to strengthen our partnership with the U.S. and secure their commitment to transforming the lives of all Filipinos by directly investing in our economy,” Aboitiz said.
“He came here on a mission for our people — we all did — and that mission was accomplished. We felt the love from the Americans here, and Filipinos will feel it at home and around the world,” he added.
Some of the PSAC members who joined Aboitiz on the US trip are also key players in the Philippine business scene:
- International Container Terminal Services Inc. Chairman and President Enrique Razon
- Metro Pacific Corp. Chairman and President Manuel V. Pangilinan
- San Miguel Corp. Chairman, President and CEO Ramon Ang
- Ayala Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
- JG Summit Holdings Inc. President and CEO Lance Gokongwei
- Magsaysay Group President and CEO Doris Ho
- SM Prime Holdings Director Hans Sy
The PSAC members joined Marcos when the latter addressed global investors and traders at the New York Stock Exchange. Some members were also present when the Philippine business delegation met with senior executives from various American firms during the Philippine Economic Briefing.
READ: Aboitiz to US business community: PH is ripe, open for investments
During the Philippine Economic Briefing, Marcos told US businesses that investing in the Philippines — which he claimed to be Asia’s fastest rising economic star — is a smart choice as the time is ripe.
“PBBM, together with some of his cabinet members and the Philippine business delegation, met with a number of business leaders from different U.S. companies who committed to be a part of the Philippines’ development and economic growth,” PSAC said.
“Both the U.S. and the Philippines will be working together in addressing some of the country’s key economic challenges, particularly climate change, food security, and energy security, just to name a few,” it added.
According to PSAC, Marcos was able to deliver a message that the country wants to impart to the world — that the best time to invest in the country is now.
“In PBBM’s last engagement with the Asia Society, he delivered a key message that summed up what the country wants to tell the world. ‘The time to invest in the Philippines is no longer just some time in the future. It is now’,” PSAC noted.
Marcos visited the US for the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he delivered a speech that focused on urging other countries to act against climate change, assuring other nations of a ‘friendly’ foreign policy while seeking their support in terms of security.
He also met with the Filipino community in New Jersey, while holding a meeting with the business sector at the New York Stock Exchange, and other bilateral and multilateral talks.
He also met with US president Joe Biden, where the two leaders discussed maritime disputes and the human rights situation in the Philippines, among several issues.